UWA is now collaborating with WA company Shark Shield Pty Ltd to field test their surfboard-mounted electrical shark deterrent, which is being developed as part of another State Government research grant program.

After finding sharks became accustomed to “bubble curtains”, the scientists later discovered that if a “high-intensity bubble burst” was directed at a single shark on cue, it was much more effective.

Dr Kempster said he believed the key could lie in producing bubbles in pulses or in unpredictable sequences that sharks could not expect.

The team tested the deterrents separately using two floating rigs — one of which was used as a control — in the ocean and attaching the deterrent being tested just above a canister of bait.

A long strip of extremely bright flashing lights was switched on when white sharks approached the bait but it did not deter the sharks.

Similarly, white sharks were not deterred by a loud “disturbing” artificial sound being played underwater or the call of their predator, the killer whale.